France is the perfect location for a cultural holiday, offering beautiful scenic countryside, bustling cities, world-famous vineyards and historic landmarks. The country is famous for its delicious range of wine, attracting around 10 million visitors per year. There are a huge variety of regions, so we have put together a quick guide to help you plan the best destinations to visit on your French adventure.
Dordogne
Dordogne is unique, offering dramatic scenery through its medieval villages, steep valleys and ancient woodland. The perfect time to visit Dordogne is the summer, with warm temperatures typically reaching 25-35 degrees Celsius. There are some fantastic wines that come from the local area, particularly Pecharmant reds, equal in quality to those made in Bordeaux and at a much lower cost. Why not visit one of the ancient farmsteads, where you can indulge in fantastic wine and then relax in the picturesque accommodation?
Burgundy
The beautiful scenic countryside of Burgundy makes it one of the most popular destinations to visit in France. There are dedicated cycle and walking paths in the region that will take you through the famous vineyards and historic villages, filled with beautiful chateaux, manors and abbeys. As one of the most prestigious wine producing regions in the world, a great way to ensure you see everything it has to offer is on a walking or cycling tour. That way, you can fully indulge in the region’s fantastic food and drink and burn off the calories!
Champagne
Arguably the most famous region in France, Champagne takes its name from a type of sparkling wine. The area lies to the east of Paris and is rich in agriculture. The chalky soil and climatic conditions are perfect for producing the bubbly wine that is now known worldwide. The famous vineyards are located to the south west of Reims and around the town of Epernay, so be sure to add them to your itinerary!
Loire
Characterised by beautiful architecture reflected in the calm river, Loire is home to historic chateaux, intricate gardens and attractive orchards and pastures. Head to the tasting rooms and cellars across the region to try delicious Janieres whites and Coteaux-du-Loir reds. Standards of cooking are exceptionally high in Loire and you can experience refined country dinners with rich flavours. Due to its fairly flat terrain, it is the ideal region to explore by walking and trekking through open fields and vineyards. You can experience the breath-taking views without too much effort!
Provence
Visitors are forever attracted to the beauty of Provence, home to an array of museums honouring Picasso, Matisse and Chagal. If you’re a fan of rose, Provence is the place to be. Rose wine is more than half of the wine produced in the region and will not disappoint! There are also some varieties of red wine produced in Provence, notably Mourvedres and Grenaches. If white wine is more your style, head over to the Cassis area which produces great white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc.
With so much to enjoy across France, it truly is the perfect location to relax and unwind, sampling the delicious wines on your journey.